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HB Smith Series 8 S/W 5 and Carlin 99FRD Incompatability?

In 1989, the previous owners of our house had an HB Smith Series 8 S/W 5 boiler installed with a Carlin M 99FRD oil burner. We have been living in the house for the last 20 years. On the last visit from our oil provider/serviceman, we were told that this burner and boiler were now incompatible, they have been our SOLE service provider over this time period. They clean and service our system yearly . Their last visit was initiated by our discovery of a "smoky" condition with a strong sulfur smell in our basement the other morning . Upon the service visit, which required a boiler vacuuming. which we ask be done every year when  the yearly cleaning under our service contract is carried out, only to be told it is not necessary.  The vacuuming was last done in 2006, This morning we received a call with a quote to replace the incompatible burner, is this necessary and when was this incompatibility "discovered" by the manufacturer?

Comments

  • 20 years of incompatibility

    Something odd about this, so ask the same question of the tech support of the boiler, and burner manufacturers.

    If you have gas available, this may be a good time to switch.--NBC
  • icesailor
    icesailor Member Posts: 7,265
    edited December 2013
    Second Opinion:

    Either this isn't the whole story or it is time for a second opinion.

    Carlin and Smith incompatible? That's a new one on me.

    It needed to be vacuumed? It should be vacuumed every year. What have they been doing for the last 20 years?

    Carlin lists two burners for a Smith S/W-5. A EZ-1 Pro and a 99 FRD.

    I can't believe that someone would lead you to believe something that is so easily disproven.

    Here's Carlin's 2013 burner manual for boilers. Page 27 shows the burners listed by Carlin for your boiler. As of the printing, Carlin didn't consider that burner obsolete for a Smith S-5 boiler.



    http://www.carlincombustion.com/download/guides/OEM%20Guide%202013-101713.pdf
  • rich11coop
    rich11coop Member Posts: 25
    Dirty?

    Are they cleaning the breech of the Chimney?  The chimney or liner maybe dirty or clogged...

    My former service provider NEVER vacuumed the things they said they did!!!

    Good Luck!

    Coop
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Burner

    Get a new contractor.



    Sounds like the attempts of a desperate company to get more work. How could they possibly not vacuum the boiler every year?!?!
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    The Carlin burner you really want on your Smith

    is the EZ-Gas, which will let you fire the oil company.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,453
    Something not right

    Their covering up something. Doesn't sound right. Have it cleaned and set up by someone that knows what they are doing.